Starmer risks making ‘Brexit sacrifice’ to strike deal with EU bureaucrats at key summit.uk
Tory MPs have issued a warning ahead of a UK-EU summit on Monday.
Sir Keir Starmer risks ‘sacrificing’ a key Brexit benefit (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer risks “sacrificing” the benefits of Brexit by allowing European bureaucrats to regulate Britain’s gene editing sector. EU negotiators have reportedly demanded that the Government mothball landmark legislation that would, for the first time, pave the way for English farmers to plant crops developed with gene-editing technology.
Instead, the UK would have to wait for the European Union to authorise the technology, which critics say could take up to a decade and leave the UK in the “slow lane” of a multi-billion-pound industry. Tory MP Andrew Griffith said: “Labour is promising this new EU deal will unleash British industry. But if the Government caves to the EU, then our innovative and lucrative gene-editing industry will be lost. We cannot allow European bureaucrats to enforce overbearing regulations on British innovators.
“Gene-editing cannot only deliver economic growth, well-paid jobs, and put the UK at the forefront of a critical new industry, it will also support consumers and farmers. This technology makes crops more resilient to droughts and floods, brings down food prices, and reduces food waste as food’s shelf life increases.
“Brexit was a win for our gene-editing potential, and, in turn, for British farmers, consumers, and innovators. But if the EU gets its way, we will be forced to sacrifice this incredible opportunity.”
Ministers were set to begin authorising the development of the precision-breeding of plants and animals following the passing of the Genetic Technology Act last year.
It would have opened the door for scientists to develop and roll out new crops such as vitamin D-enriched tomatoes and blight- resistant potatoes.
Tory MP Rebecca Smith said: “Labour must put our national interest first, not sacrifice the benefits of Brexit in a desperate attempt to cosy up to the EU. The Government is promising that a closer relationship with the EU will boost economic growth and unleash British industry, and of course there are things that could be improved. But in reality, they risk sacrificing our gene-editing capabilities to appease the anti-growth instincts of Brussels bureaucrats.
“The EU is threatening to hamstring gene-editing with needless red tape, decimating an industry with enormous potential. Gene-editing can not only bring economic growth and unleash Britain’s scientific ingenuity, but it can also provide farmers with more resilient crops to withstand floods and droughts, increase the shelf life of food, and cut the cost of living. The Government must not be allowed to get away with what would be a betrayal of Brexit and the freedoms it brings.”
Kitty Thompson, head of campaigns at the Conservative Environment Network, said: “Gene editing is a win-win for our natural environment and food security. As our yields come under increasing pressure from flooding and drought, this technology can save farmers money, cut food waste and the need for expensive chemicals, and help farm businesses to become more resilient against the impacts of climate change.
“While it is great to see Labour has passed some secondary legislation to harness the liberalised laws passed under the Conservatives, this could all be in vain if it chooses to surrender these Brexit freedoms as part of its negotiations with the EU. The government must stand firm in its commitment to gene-editing.”
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